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Can the PBA stop Kiefer Ravena from playing in Japan?

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News 

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/sports/10/02/kiefer.jpg"/></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines -- It looks like Kiefer Ravena still has some hurdles to overcome before he can play for the Shiga Lakestars in Japan&#x27;s B.League.The club announced Wednesday that Ravena has signed a contract for the 2021-22 B.League season, making Ravena the second Filipino player to serve as an Asian import in Japan.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/02/21/kiefer-ravena-shiga-lakestars-bleague">READ: Kiefer Ravena signs with Shiga Lakestars in Japan&#x27;s B.League</a></li></ul>His younger brother, Thirdy, was the first, having played for the San-En NeoPhoenix last season and recently signing a contract extension with the team.But according to PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, the league&#x27;s rules prevent Ravena from signing with a different club in a different league.&quot;Hindi pwede,&quot; Marcial told ABS-CBN News in a phone interview.Marcial said he and Ravena had &quot;informal talks&quot; on Tuesday regarding this development, and he informed the player that it was against the PBA&#x27;s rules and regulations.&quot;Kasi may UPC (uniform player contract), may UPC sa atin. May kontrata sa atin eh. So masasabi ko lang, hindi pupwede,&quot; he said.Ravena had signed a three-year contract extension with the NLEX Road Warriors in September 2020. He thus needs to secure a clearance with the franchise as well as the PBA in order to head abroad to play.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/09/01/20/pba-kiefer-ravena-kevin-alas-sign-contract-extension-with-nlex">READ: Kiefer Ravena, Kevin Alas sign contract extension with NLEX</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/03/11/21/pba-nlex-coach-guiao-says-kiefer-received-offer-to-play-in-japan">READ: NLEX coach Guiao says Kiefer received offer to play in Japan</a></li></ul>NLEX coach Yeng Guiao has yet to respond to a request for comment. ABS-CBN News has also reached out to Ravena regarding the PBA&#x27;s stance. He is expected to be introduced by the Shiga Lakestars next Monday.According to Marcial, he is now waiting for Ravena&#x27;s next move but was firm on his stance on the matter.&quot;Tingnan natin kung anong susunod na gagawin niya. Basta, as of now, ako, hindi pwede,&quot; he said. &quot;Hindi pinapayagan ng PBA, sa ating regulasyon. Sa ating mga rules, hindi siya pwede kasi may UPC siya, may kontrata siya sa akin.&quot;

It looks like Kiefer Ravena still has some hurdles to overcome before he can play for the Shiga Lakestars in Japan's B.League.

It looks like Kiefer Ravena still has some hurdles to overcome before he can play for the Shiga Lakestars in Japan's B.League.

Can the PBA stop Kiefer Ravena from playing in Japan?

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Can the PBA stop Kiefer Ravena from playing in Japan?

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 02, 2021 12:41 PM PHT

Read More:

PBA

NLEX Road Warriors

Kiefer Ravena

Mike Ayonayon

Japan B.League

Shiga Lakestars

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